Description:

East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A tall, slender pottery mingqi funerary figure, mold-made with voluminous sleeves and hands held together at the front, each perforated with small holes - likely intended to support now-lost wooden implements such as a fan or ritual offering. The figure stands atop a flaring, tapering base and may represent a court lady or attendant, her hair pulled up into a tight bun. Traces of red and black pigment remain on the surface, evidence of the cold-painted technique typical of Han dynasty tomb sculpture - an impressive survival given that the pigment was applied without glaze, making it vulnerable to time and erosion. Such mingqi figures were intended as spirit substitutes or attendants for the deceased, mirroring the roles and hierarchy of the living world. Size: 4.75" W x 18.25" H (12.1 cm x 46.4 cm)

Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005

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#194732

  • Condition: Chips and small losses to the base rim and hairline cracks on the verso of torso. Great remaining pigment with expected fading and losses to layers.

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July 25, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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